Waste firm slammed with £68,500 fine over deadly cyanide spill
Liquid cyanide leak kills hundreds of fish
A waste transport company has been hit with a massive £68,500 bill after spilling liquid cyanide from a lorry at an industrial estate in Heanor, Derbyshire. J & G Environmental Ltd, based in Fareham, Hampshire, was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay £52,500 in costs following a court case at nottingham/" title="Nottingham" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Nottingham Crown Court on February 21, 2024.
The company admitted causing an illegal water discharge after a container ruptured on February 6, 2018. The driver’s manoeuvre caused hundreds of litres of diluted cyanide to leak into nearby drains and waterways, killing hundreds of fish in a local pond.
Emergency services swoop in to contain toxic spill
The Fire Service quickly cordoned off the area and started decontamination to minimise risk. Environment Agency officers rushed to the scene, deploying booms and absorbent pads to stop the poison spreading further in the water system.
Tests revealed all 73 fish samples examined had died from cyanide poisoning. The clean-up costs were estimated at around £50,000.
Company pleaded guilty but shows commitment to safety
J & G Environmental, which handles waste from sectors such as printing, healthcare, and photography, collected the toxic liquid from Rolls Royce’s base before the leak. Judge Michael Auty noted the firm’s clean record and their efforts to improve safety after the incident but stressed the importance of protecting the environment and workers.
“This case highlights how seriously we take pollution,” said an Environment Agency spokesperson. We urge anyone who suspects environmental crimes to report them to our hotline or Crimestoppers.
This hefty fine sends a stark warning to businesses: obey environmental laws or face tough consequences. Protecting wildlife and ecosystems isn’t optional — it’s the law.
